Kanpur: A national-level female Taekwondo player alleged that she was gangraped by the chief mahant and others of an ashram here, which is located next to a police station, India Today reported.
A video of the incident has gone viral.
The victim said that she requested a local person, identified as Govind Mahto, to help her search for a space to set up a shop selling old clothes. According to her complaint, Mahto took her to the ashram and promised to introduce her to influential people who could help her. At the ashram, she was offered a laddoo, and she lost consciousness later. She says that she was gangraped by Mahto, the ashram's mahant (chief priest), and several others, and she has named four individuals over the assault.
When an investigation was going on, police said that the incident occurred in January, but the victim filed a complaint nearly four months later. To this, the victim has said that she feared retribution since the accused have influential status and political connections.
The viral footage the accused submitted to the police showed an elderly woman assaulting her inside an ashram premises.
Police said that the video is under scrutiny, and they have visited the ashram room showing it. They added that they are examining all aspects and will take action accordingly.
Meanwhile, the priests, including the mahant of the ashram in question, claimed that they were at the Maha Kumbh during the time of the incident. They even produced photos and videos to support their alibi. Police added that they are also put under scrutiny.